Switzerland becomes the 50th State Party to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture

On 24 September 2009, Switzerland ratified the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT) and became on that occasion the 50th State Party to this innovative international treaty. The APT welcomes this historical moment, which will pave the way for an enlarged UN Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture (SPT), the international body established by the OPCAT to effectively prevent torture and other forms of ill-treatment through detention monitoring and advice on improving domestic preventive measures. As foreseen by the OPCAT, after the 50th ratification of or accession to this instrument, the number of members of the SPT shall increase from 10 to 25 independent experts.
UN human rights chief welcomes increased capacity of torture-prevention body
See the Global Status of OPCAT ratifications.